Client Terminal Base Station Location Determination Using Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Client terminals in wireless communication systems lack the capability to determine the location of base stations, which is essential for optimal communication and decision-making processes such as cell reselection and handover, and typically rely on network-provided location information that may not be available.
Innovation Solution
A client terminal can determine the location of base stations using trilateration methods with stored longitude and latitude coordinates and timing advance information from multiple points within a base station's coverage area, associating Cell Identity with the determined location, and utilizing RSSI for distance estimation when TA information is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If client terminals rely on network-provided location information for base stations, then the system complexity is reduced, but the capability to determine base station location is lost when network information is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The client terminal performs self-service by autonomously determining base station locations using trilateration with stored client location data and timing advance information, without requiring the network to provide base station location information. This enables the terminal to independently obtain location data even when network information is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal performs preliminary actions by storing its own location information at multiple points within a base station's coverage area before needing to determine the base station location. This pre-collected data is then used in the trilateration process to calculate base station position when needed.
2Measurement precision
If client terminals use trilateration methods with stored location and timing advance information, then base station location accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses timing advance information as an intermediary to convert time-based measurements into distance measurements. The timing advance, which represents the round-trip time for signal propagation, serves as a mediator that links the client's location measurements to the base station's position through mathematical calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or network-provided location information systems with a computational approach using trilateration mathematics. Instead of relying on physical infrastructure to provide location data, the system uses mathematical calculations based on time-based measurements and stored client location data to determine base station position.
3Reliability
If client terminals collect location information from multiple points within coverage area, then the quantity of data for accurate trilateration increases, but the time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by collecting location information from a sufficient number of points within the coverage area to enable accurate trilateration, rather than requiring exhaustive data collection from all possible points. The system uses enough measurement points to achieve reliable base station location determination without unnecessary additional energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables improved performance, user experience, and reduced power consumption by allowing client terminals to accurately determine base station locations for better communication management and decision-making.
Implementation Method 1
timing advance (TA) information... The TA is typically estimated by a base station when a client terminal performs initial uplink transmissions. The approximate distance between a client terminal and the BSA may be obtained by dividing half of TA by the speed of light.
Implementation Method 2
utilizing RSSI for distance estimation when TA information is unavailable
Data Source
AI summary
In some scenarios it may be useful for a client terminal to know the location of one or more base stations in a wireless communication network. While a network may know its location accurately, it may not provide that information to a client terminal. Furthermore, the location information for a base station may be required before a client terminal can communicate with a particular base station. Location determination is a commonly available and used capability in many client terminals in a wireless communication network for finding the client terminal's own location. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable a client terminal that is capable of determining its own location to be able to determine the location of any base station in a wireless communication network. A client terminal may use the base station location information for improved performance, improved user experience, and reduced power consumption.